Monthly Archives: March 2018

Patch.com 

Image CDC

SEATTLE, WA – At least 17 people have been sickened – and one hospitalized – in a food poisoning outbreak linked to food served recently at two Seattle Jewish temples, according to King County.

The illnesses stem from private parties at Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., and Temple Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE in early March. Both events were catered by Eric Gorbman Catering, 17725 28th Ave. NE in Lake Forest Park, according to King County. Attendees also brought their own food to share.

Two of the people sickened work for the caterer, and health officials believe they became ill after the events.

King County has confirmed that Shigella bacteria is behind at least one of the illnesses. Shigella causes gastroenteritis, and symptoms can last up to 7 days. Even after recovering, Shigella victims can still spread the bacteria and sicken others.

Science Daily  

In a proof-of-concept study, researchers from North Carolina State University have pinpointed new compounds that may be effective in containing the virulence — or ability to produce disease — of Listeria, a well-known bacterium that can cause severe food poisoning and even death.

ABC News Net 

The rockmelon farm at the centre of the deadly listeria outbreak has been revealed as Rombola Family Farms, authorities have confirmed.

The NSW Food Authority said it was working closely with the farm, located in the NSW Riverina, to determine the exact cause of the outbreak.

Four people died and there have been 17 confirmed cases of listeriosis nationally, linked to the contaminated rockmelons.

The rockmelon industry had been calling for the farm behind the outbreak to be named, to protect the reputation of other growers and convince consumers that it was safe to eat the fruit.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Food Authority said, pending the results of its investigation into the incident, it may implement additional regulation to the rockmelon industry to ensure compliance with food safety.

The NSW Food Authority is working closely with Rombola Family Farms to identify the source of the outbreak.

All Africa

The Seychelles Public Health Authority has imposed a temporary ban on all ready-to-eat meat products imported from South Africa since an outbreak of listeria was declared in the African country earlier this year.

According to a communiqué from the health authority, the action follows confirmation from the Ministry of Health in South Africa that the source of listeria contamination and outbreak is in processed meat.

The ban removes all processed meat — namely polonies, hams and pre-cooked sausages — from the local market. Importers of processed meat have been formally informed of the ban.

The National

The UAE has banned the import of meat from two South African meat manufacturers in response to an announcement by South African authorities tracing the deadly listeria food poisoning outbreak to contaminated meat products.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has ordered the immediate suspension of imports and from Tiger’s Enterprise Food and RCL Foods, whose food samples tested positive for the strain of listeria that has killed 180 people so far.

“As part of the precautionary measures, the Ministry has issued a circular informing Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and municipal authorities in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah of the immediate suspension of food imports from these two manufactures, denying entry of their inbound shipments, and pulling the incriminated goods from local shelves,” said Majd Mohamed Al Herbawi, Director of the Food Safety Department at MOCCAE.

“The Ministry also directed relevant local authorities to step up screening of South African meat and its products and ensure that only safe-to-consume meat is available in the UAE market.”

The Ministry is closely following-up on the investigations being carried out by authorities in South Africa.

Retailers were receptive to the move and assured consumers of their strict food sourcing policy.

Outbreak News Today 

Image CDC

A shigella outbeak, linked to catering by Seattle-based Eric Gorbman Catering,  is being investigated by Public Health — Seattle & King County officials. To date, 17 cases have been reported.

The investigation surrounds private parties at Temple Beth Am and Temple Beth Shalom in Seattle on March 3. The parties were catered by Eric Gorbman Catering with additional food items brought potluck style by attendees. One ill attendee is hospitalized.

Health officials are asking attendees to fill out a survey to assist in the investigation.

Outbreak News Today

Earlier this week, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today warned consumers not to consume The Maiden’s Creamery “Wild Meadow” raw goat milk cheese made by Mark Harvey, 1277 Copes Corner Road, South New Berlin, NY 13843 due to possible Listeria contamination.

Outbreak News Today

A recent Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria voyage ending Friday saw 74 passengers and crew come down with bouts of diarrhea by an unknown etiology.

The voyage that started Feb, 21, returned to Ft. Lauderdale, FL Friday where a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) environmental health officer and an epidemiologist boarded the ship to conduct an environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak and response activities.